2011: With respect to its long-running and widely popular summer program, the YCC in Waukegan—which, after many years of moves, settled into a new facility last year—devotes much of its time to YouthBuild. Though students graduate in ten months, they’re now given the opportunity to stay on as staff through the four-month old Occupational Construction Leadership Apprenticeship Program. “Mentors”, as they are called, act as role models for current members while empowering themselves through added responsibilities, including supervising construction sites and taking part in interviewing prospective candidates.

On December 9th, Neil Qusba, YCC’s construction manager and a national leader in green building principles, embarked on an eight-day trip sponsored by YouthBuild International to Northeast Bosnia to train Bosnian YB leaders in tools, environmental literacy, and weatherization.